Sports marketing firm rates Duncan as NBA’s second-most trustworthy

SAN ANTONIO — Tim Duncan has long been cherished around these parts for not just dominating on the basketball court, but doing so without drawing negative attention.

His squeaky-clean reputation extends well beyond Texas, it seems. Repucom, a global sports marketing research firm, rates Duncan as the second-most trustworthy and “aspirational” player in the NBA, trailing only Golden State’s Steph Curry.

A spokesperson said the firm maintains its data through weekly polls with 1,000 participants. Nearly 75 percent consider Duncan to be trust-worthy, while roughly 68 percent aspire to be like him.

Duncan also rates in the top 30 percent in the other categories measured: likeability, influence, endorsement impact and, believe it or not, trend-setting.

Duncan and teammate Tony Parker have a 49 percent awareness among the general population, eighth-best among the 44 players tested. (For context, Kobe Bryant is at 92 percent). Parker did not rank particularly high in any of the individual categories.

Repucom declined to provide more data, which it sells to various firms.